purr

American  

[pur] / pɜr /

Archaic, pur

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a low, continuous, murmuring sound expressive of contentment or pleasure, as a cat does.

2. (of things) to make a sound suggestive of the purring of a cat.

   The new motor of the car purred.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to express by or as if by purring.

noun

1. the low, vibrating sound made by a cat by the contracting of the laryngeal muscles and the diaphragm as it breathes.

2. a sound resembling this.

3. the act of purring.

purr British  

/ pɜː /

verb

1. (intr) (esp of cats) to make a low vibrant sound, usually considered as expressing pleasure, etc

2. (tr) to express (pleasure, etc) by this sound

---

noun

1. a purring sound

Other Word Forms

• purringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of purr

First recorded in 1595–1605; imitative

Example Sentences

When Banks purrs, “You have no idea what we have planned for Cycle 25,” you’ll have to forgive me for taking that as a threat, not a tease.

From Salon

A domestic cat's purr reveals much more about its individual identity than its meow.

From Science Daily

And Lulu was so pleased she almost purred.

From Literature

Instead, as a vehicle for a pair of wonderful performances, “Pillion” purrs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The motor sprang to life with a grand purr, and Mike and Opoku cheered.

From Literature